How Do I Become a Volunteer?

All adults working with youth as 4-H volunteers for more than eight hours/year are required to be certified by the Extension office. Volunteers may become certified by working through the following process:

  1. Complete the 4-H Volunteer e-Learning Course. This is made up of four short modules (approximately 10 minutes each) that will provide you with foundational information about the 4-H program.  To access the course you will need to create an account in, or login into the ZSuite website. For instructions on how to create an account and access the course, please download 4-H Volunteer e-Learning Course Instructions- PDF.
  2. After completing the 4-H Volunteer e-Learning course, should you decide you would like to start the application process to become an enrolled volunteer, return to the ZSuite Clover Academy and click on the Maine 4-H Volunteer Certification Process module to complete the steps. 

Steps in the 4-H volunteer application process include the following:

  • Fill out an application and notify the two references you listed that a 4-H staff member will be in touch.
  • Submit and pass a background check. This is at no cost to the volunteer applicant. Note: For prospective 4-H volunteers who work in Maine school systems, you are required by the Maine Department of Education to have a background check. In lieu of a background check through the University of Maine’s Office of Human Resources, potential volunteers can provide a copy of the Maine DOE certificate validating a background check has been performed in the last five years. Please provide this certificate to your local county Extension office when you turn in your volunteer application. Please note, Maine 4-H volunteers are required to be background checked every three years. For a subsequent background check, the Maine DOE certificate will not suffice; the volunteer will need to complete one via University of Maine’s Office of Human Resources.)
  • Watch Mandated Reporter and UMaine Sexual Harassment video clips.
  • Complete an interview with a county 4-H staff person.
  • Review core training topics which include: the 4-H Thriving Model, Experiential Learning and Ages and Stages. 

Depending on the volunteer role you wish to play, additional training may be required. This will be determined when meeting with your county 4-H staff person. If you successfully complete the steps above, your county 4-H staff person will provide you with information on how to enroll and next steps.